The European Parliament has adopted the political agreement reached in February between the co-legislators on the Commission’s proposal for decentralised and simplified technical rules. The new rules will give fishermen a stronger say in deciding on the best measures for sustainable fishing, adapted to their specific needs.

The new rules, in line with the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the Commission’s Better Regulation agenda, streamline the technical measures guiding how, where and when fishermen may fish, as well as determining the type of gear, catch composition and ways to deal with accidental catches.

The Regulation simplifies the existing technical conservation measures that over the years have become highly complex. It includes provisions for the protection of the marine ecosystem and marine habitats. The new rules confirm the EU’s strong commitment to sustainable fisheries by introducing additional measures to avoid by-catches of non-commercial and sensitive species.

This new Regulation will enter into force 20 days after its publication, which will take place after the necessary steps in the Council and the signature by the Council and the European Parliament.